Mexican food is very well accepted by Indians. It suits our palate as it has a similar vibrant and feisty quality in taste as well appearance like Indian food. No wonder, the last decade has seen the growth of several Mexican restaurants as well as global chains serving this cuisine. To a layman, Mexican food equals tacos- a basic corn tortilla, sometimes crispy and sometimes soft with a filling of your choice. So that gives a lot of freedom to chefs to be creative in this area.
When it comes to Tex- Mex, the first pick is always Chili’s Grill & Bar – the American chain which has become a rage in the city. They already have 3 outlets in South Kolkata and all seem to be doing really well. They serve 5 kinds of tacos in soft flour shells and the fillings are nonetheless interesting. However, the Pulled Pork Taco with Jack cheese and Citrus Chilli Sauce and abundance of salsa make it worthwhile.
The Irish House at Quest Mall has become quite a popular watering hole in the city. They have a global menu to go with their array of spirits but the Crispy Mini Tacos made with fillings of Bbq Chicken and Pulled Pork, are both blissful. They are bite-sized and easily manageable with fillings of baked pinto beans, fresh tomato salsa and topped with cheddar cheese and sour cream.
Bodega Cantina Y Bar, on the other hand, has Indianised their taco. Their tacos look like small parantha canapés. They have 3 kinds of tacos but their Laal Maas Taco drizzled with homemade mint chutney and sirka pyaaz (pickled and smoked onions) feels exotic with a rustic charm and is super hot and spicy just like Laal Maas should be.
Monkey Bar has gone all guns blazing in the desi version of their tacos. Their Laal Maas Tacos are overloaded with Rajasthani flavours with the inclusion of ker sangri, mint and tamarind chutney and spicy laal maas. The vegetarian version is Baingan Phulka Pakoda with filling of nimbu ka achar, gongura, ker sangri and coriander chutney.
K.K.'s Fusion Global Kitchen and Lounge has been one of its kind restaurants serving some unique fusion food. Their flavours are quite wholesome and hearty and even though they just have a vegetarian and a non-vegetarian simple taco on their menu loaded with chicken and cheese, they just taste heavenly. Now, who wouldn’t mind an overload of chicken and cheese?
Tried the tacos at TGI Friday's? Another global brand which opened its door in the city offers the hearty Roasted Vegetable Tacos with mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, roasted garlic topped with fresh tomato salsa and cheese. The real deal, however, is the Tortilla Crusted Fish Tacos. The crispy fish fillet with the soft flour tacos topped with generous amount of corn pico and a lemon dill remoulade sauce is tantalising and zingy and is simply sensational.
Written By
For someone who's run two restaurants, being a baker and cook par excellence comes easily to Madhushree . When she's not eating out, she's organizing her own pop ups or experimenting with regional recipes. Her experiments with food and her recipes are part of Pikturenama , where she's a co founder.
